Passport application: Find someone to prove identity

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites

I've applied to renew my passport, but I've been requested to find someone "who knows me well" to vouch for my identity.

Fortunately, a relative knows someone who meets the criteria, and I think they're still alive. So I'll probably be alright.

However, I'm worried for the future and other people who get stung with this.

For example, I've been living abroad now for a couple of decades, so losing my passport this way would be pretty devastating, even though I have permanent residency approval elsewhere now.

Personally, I don't have any friends, let alone any that fit the criteria, even though my profession seems match the description myself. This is common for autistic people. Is it ground for discrimination?

Has this been in the news? It reminds me of homeless people being unable to get a job or bank account because they can't give a proof of address. Is this kind of red tape common in the UK?

DullGreyGuy

You cannot use a relative

Most people know someone, they only have to have known you for 2 years and just need to know who you are not your life story. 

The list of acceptable occupations these days includes things like "a manager in a limited company" or "a manager in a VAT registered company". For most thats any manager at work assuming they've worked there for 2 years, the manager of your local cornershop etc etc etc

theoretica

As you are in a relevant job yourself a colleague or past colleague would be an option.

baser999

Renewed mine recently, but not asked for verification

eskbanker

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites said:

Personally, I don't have any friends, let alone any that fit the criteria, even though my profession seems match the description myself. This is common for autistic people. Is it ground for discrimination?

What would you consider to be a reasonable adjustment to the process (of independent verification) that would maintain its integrity?

zagfles

It's unusual for a renewal, we (my family) have renewed passports about 10 times over the last 20 years and never been asked for anyone to vouch for our identity. It's usual for a first passort but not a renewal. Suspect it's different for you as you're abroad.

As for who to use, what about a work colleague, if your profession meets the criteria then surely you have colleagues who would also fit the criteria?

smudge56

Has the passport office requested a digital referee?  Did they give you a reason?  If they can’t identify you from your previous passport or if your passport was issued before 2000 you would be asked for a digital referee, otherwise it should be a straightforward renewal and you shouldn’t need anyone to confirm your identity 

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites

eskbanker said:

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites said:

Personally, I don't have any friends, let alone any that fit the criteria, even though my profession seems match the description myself. This is common for autistic people. Is it ground for discrimination?

What would you consider to be a reasonable adjustment to the process (of independent verification) that would maintain its integrity?

An implementation from the government similar to online KYC services that companies use for outsourcing this red tape https://sumsub.com/pricing/

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites

smudge56 said:

Has the passport office requested a digital referee?  Did they give you a reason?  If they can’t identify you from your previous passport or if your passport was issued before 2000 you would be asked for a digital referee, otherwise it should be a straightforward renewal and you shouldn’t need anyone to confirm your identity 

It might have got flagged because I'm applying from abroad without a VPN and asked them to send it to my parent's address rather than send it directly to me abroad.

Par du jour, they didn't give any reason.

Another possibility is that I had sent my old passport back and due to postal strikes, didn't get there in time, so they withdrew my application with no refund, and also never acknowledged that it arrived or not.

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites

theoretica said:

As you are in a relevant job yourself a colleague or past colleague would be an option.

Sadly, while one of my colleagues is qualifying to licensed teacher soon, he's not British.

I think "manager of a company" should be doable, but I just can't think of which old school friends back in the UK I haven't spoke to in 20 years abroad might be managers. I suppose I'll just have to start calling around

DontReuseUserNamesAcrossSites

DullGreyGuy said:

You cannot use a relative

Most people know someone, they only have to have known you for 2 years and just need to know who you are not your life story. 

The list of acceptable occupations these days includes things like "a manager in a limited company" or "a manager in a VAT registered company". For most thats any manager at work assuming they've worked there for 2 years, the manager of your local cornershop etc etc etc

Thanks. This sounds like the most likely thing to investigate. It's so embarrassing going around having to ask people haven't seen in years.

The hardest thing is that the person has to live in the UK.

If I fly from the other side of the world and go to the passport office in person, would that help me?? (on a temporary issue emergency passport)

The list of "recognised professions" is interesting. If your job isn't on the list, maybe it's not really a job in the eyes of the government. Something for school leavers selecting qualifications to think about:

• accountant
• airline pilot
• articled clerk of a limited company
• assurance agent of recognised company
• bank or building society official
• barrister
• chairman or director of a limited company
• chiropodist
• commissioner for oaths
• councillor, for example local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• dentist
• director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
• engineer with professional qualifications
• financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker
• fire service official
• funeral director
• insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• journalist
• Justice of the Peace
• legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
• licensee of a public house
• local government officer
• manager or personnel officer of a limited company
• member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of Parliament
• Merchant Navy officer
• minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
• nurse (RGN or RMN)
• officer of the armed services
• optician
• paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
• person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE
• pharmacist
• photographer (professional)
• police officer
• Post Office official
• president or secretary of a recognised organisation
• Salvation Army officer
• social worker
• solicitor
• surveyor
• teacher or lecturer
• trade union officer
• travel agent (qualified)
• valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers